Same charger?

[maxair45]

http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXVJE6&P=7

They look very very similar. Same charger different tags/brand? Any thoughts? I'm placing an order with hobbypartz so I might snag this while i'm there.

Thanks

[simplechamp]

There are many chargers on the market that are almost exact clones. Lots of the hardware comes from China and gets rebranded/rebadged for different companies.

Can I ask what you plan on charging? When I first started out I bought a 50W charger thinking it would be enough, but it wasn't. It was fine for my little Mini-T lipos (2s 1300mah) but nowhere near powerful enough to charge the 4s 5000mah setup I have for my E-revo.

[maxair45]

Originally Posted by simplechamp

There are many chargers on the market that are almost exact clones. Lots of the hardware comes from China and gets rebranded/rebadged for different companies.

Can I ask what you plan on charging? When I first started out I bought a 50W charger thinking it would be enough, but it wasn't. It was fine for my little Mini-T lipos (2s 1300mah) but nowhere near powerful enough to charge the 4s 5000mah setup I have for my E-revo.

I'm charging 2s and 3s mostly for my racer and possibly a 4s and 5s every now and again. I know many are re branded but I hear a lot like your story where people are disappointed with them. Hobbywing makes speed passion, venom, and orion bl systems and I have no problem with picking up a re branded as long as it gets the job done. Hope that little more info about my application helps. So is this a re branded one?

[maxair45]

http://www.hobbypartz.com/60p-dyc-1004.html

Also what about this one? Its a bit smaller(helps as pit space is limited at the track), same feature as the other one, usb hook up....but no feedback. How do the specs look? I like having options.

[simplechamp]

Don't have experience with those chargers but they look the same to me, probably are the same hardware.

It's not as much the cell count as the mah capacity that matters here. Those 50W chargers can charge up to 6s lipos, but the rate that they will do so is going to be limited. You would only be able to charge a 4s lipo at 2.5-3A max and that would be pushing the charger to it's limits.

Another thing to think about is the built-in power supply. If you buy a quality external power supply you can use it with any charger. Whereas with this built-in one if you decide to change chargers the power supply is gone too.

Not trying to discourage you or anything. I just don't want you to buy this 50W charger and then be limited by it. That's what happened to me. I thought I would save money and get the 50W, thought it would be fine. Then when it wasn't I had to buy a 250W model and wish I would have done that right from the start.

[simplechamp]

Originally Posted by maxair45

http://www.hobbypartz.com/60p-dyc-1004.html

Also what about this one? Its a bit smaller(helps as pit space is limited at the track), same feature as the other one, usb hook up....but no feedback. How do the specs look? I like having options.

That one is still 50W but does require an external power supply.

What charger/chargers do you already own? Will this charger you want to buy be your main charger that you use?

[maxair45]

4000 MaH 2s tops and 4s....4000MaH most likely if not less. Also is a 25a esc too little to use in a stadium truck running 2s 35c? I will ONLY be running 2s but i'm afraid that the c rating might kill it....Will a 30c or 40c 2s kill a 25a esc?

[simplechamp]

C rating is the amount of current a battery is capable of delivering. It will only deliver what the motor/esc ask it to deliver. You can have too low of a C rating, but never too high of a C rating.

Look at the Castle Sidewinder or Castle Mamba Max for your stadium truck. Those would be suited pretty well. They are capable of handling much more than 25A and are solid USA-made controllers.

This is the charger I bought after the 50W one was too weak:
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=6792

It is rated for 250W and the balancer is very accurate. My cells are always perfectly balanced. Even after a hard run they stay within 1mV of eachother. It also has the USB connect to allow you to monitor your charges with a computer. I would definitely recommend this charger. Even if you don't need the power right now you might someday, and this charger will be able to deliver. There's even a 10s capable model if you really want to be prepared!

It is more expensive, but I learned very quickly that in this hobby trying to skimp and buy the cheapest stuff will cost you more in the long run. Buy cheap equipment and you'll just end up replacing it with the better stuff anyway. That said, doesn't mean you have to buy the top-end super expensive stuff either. This charger along with some Zippy lipos has been a great setup to run my E-revo.

[maxair45]

Yea I have a Sidewinder in my stadium truck, its a great esc even for racing. I just want to be able to have the program card on hand if I wanna adjust say the drag break I can adjust it right there and then instead of hooking up to a computer(can't bring on to the track as I don't have a lap top). Would a 25a esc be little to handle a 35c 2s battery? I'm still a little hazzy.

If I was going to spend that much i'd spend it on a name brand charger like the ice. That too much IMO to spend on a off brand charger.

[eovnu87435ds]

i use some 50w Chinese chargers. Ive used them for just about every size lipo, from 2s 1200mah to 5s 4000mah to 4s 5000mah. It will charge all those packs just fine. it just cant charge at 1C when charging larger packs. depending on how long in between races you have, you can normally recharge your packs in time. I can get away with a 50w charger for 4s 5000mah and use the one battery all day(well, it's 2x 2s packs, but i charged as 4) for 2 5 minute heats and then a 15 minute main. there are usually 6-8 classes running at the track too.

[simplechamp]

Yes I said in a previous post that the charger would charge the packs. I was suggesting to the OP that even though the 50W charger would work it really isn't optimal. IMO if the charger can't charge your packs at 1C or greater it's underpowered. I think it's worth it to buy a more powerful charger because you spend less time waiting for batteries to charge and more time driving.

[ticklechicken]

Originally Posted by maxair45

If I was going to spend that much i'd spend it on a name brand charger like the ice. That too much IMO to spend on a off brand charger.

An iCharger is not an off brand charger. They are high quality and have a good support system. An off brand with similar specs as the 106b would be the GT A-6-10. It's $40 cheaper but of less quality.

Trust me and the others here, do not get a 50 watt charger. You will sell it soon. I made the same mistake and had to sell mine after four months. Even if you don't move to multiple or higher capacity packs, the next packs you buy will likely be capable of higher charging rates. Many packs available today can charge at 2C and the some can charge at 5C. In a few months, we may see even higher. And don't forget the A123's. They're starting to look good. All this means your next 4s 4000mah may be capable of charging at 20amps and 350watts.

[_paralyzed_]

Originally Posted by maxair45

4000 MaH 2s tops and 4s....4000MaH most likely if not less. Also is a 25a esc too little to use in a stadium truck running 2s 35c? I will ONLY be running 2s but i'm afraid that the c rating might kill it....Will a 30c or 40c 2s kill a 25a esc?

you could hook a 100c battery up to that esc, it's the motor and vehicle that determine how many amps will be pulled through the esc.

at 2s (14.8v) 25 amps is 370 watts. (14.8v x 25a = 370w)

Even an "s" can feigao can pull way more than that.

so, no, the battery won't kill that esc, but the motor and weight of the vehicle will

[maxair45]

I ended up getting it and I'm very happy with it. It charges all my lipos really nicely. I still like my onyx better but this can charge a higher cell count. Great for a second/backup charger.

Thanks guys for all the help